Emails Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.